Use of acid-fast bacilli staining to determine the need for airborne infection isolation precautions: A comparison of respiratory specimens

Institution of appropriate airborne infection isolation (AII) precautions for patients with suspected Mycobacterium tuberculosis is critical to prevent disease transmission. We compared the yield of acid-fast bacilli smears from different types of respiratory specimens and found that smear sensitivi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2014-11, Vol.42 (11), p.1244-1246
Main Authors: Silkaitis, Christina, MT (ASCP), CIC, Bardowski, Laura, MSN, RN, CIC, Coomer, Cara, RN, BSN, MSW, CIC, Trakas, Kathryn, MT (ASCP), Lavin, Mary Alice, RN, MJ, CIC, Reddy, Susheel, MPH, Bolon, Maureen K., MD, MS, Zembower, Teresa R., MD, MPH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acid-fast bacilli
Bacterial infections
Bacteriological Techniques - methods
Biological and medical sciences
Bodily Secretions - microbiology
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - microbiology
Comparative analysis
Disease control
Disease prevention
Disease transmission
Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control
Epidemiology. Vaccinations
General aspects
Humans
Infection Control
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Isolation precautions
Medical sciences
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification
Patient Isolation
Respiratory specimens
Retrospective Studies
Sputum - microbiology
Staining and Labeling - methods
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - microbiology
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - transmission
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Description
Summary:Institution of appropriate airborne infection isolation (AII) precautions for patients with suspected Mycobacterium tuberculosis is critical to prevent disease transmission. We compared the yield of acid-fast bacilli smears from different types of respiratory specimens and found that smear sensitivity was highest for specimens obtained by endotracheal aspirates (92%), followed by sputum (79%), and then by bronchoalveolar lavage (37%). As a result of this study, our institutional policy regarding discontinuation of AII precautions was amended.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.08.005